This Mets Prospect threw a no-hitter, but no one talks about him. An Analysis of Joander Suarez, also a really cool adjustment he made.

This Mets Prospect threw a no-hitter, but no one talks about him. An Analysis of Joander Suarez, also a really cool adjustment he made.

By Isaac Groffman

Last year, after getting promoted to AA Binghamton Joander Suarez put up 13 strait hitless innings, including a 7 inning no-hitter in Hartford. The 24 year is deep on the Mets Starter Pitching depth chart but, I believe he can make an impact in the MLB this year. Joander Suarez was promoted from A+ to AA late last August mostly due to Binghamton needing a starter.  But he also had made some adjustments that Mets brass must have noticed.

Suarez does not have the pedigree of a Christian Scott or Brandon Sproat. But his ability to make adjustments has caused him to gain momentum as he makes his way through the upper minors.  So let’s take a look at his pitch mix and adjustments he has made. Suarez's pitch arsenal consists a Fastball that averages 95.2 MPH, a Gyro Slider that he throws 31% of the time, an uppers 70's Curveball and a Changeup. The Gyro Slider is a new pitch that works better against lefties than his Curveball. A big part of what was keeping Suarez from progressing were his Fastball control issues. 


Before his promotion to AA he had a 4.5 BB/9 but he reduced it to 2.0 when he got promoted mostly due to a slight adjustment he made. In the middle of 2023 Suarez moved from the first base side of the rubber to the third base side. As you can see in the picture below. 





This slight adjustment has improved Suarez's fastball command and effectiveness drastically. This change causes his Fastball to approach the plate at a sharper angle, which creates a higher rate of swings on the inside part of the plate. It also helps him locate the pitch to his armside. @LanceBroz has a great video explaining this concept. https://youtu.be/qY1IwuLU2jM?si=yPvXP3n-8qQDksQx. It’s also possible that this change also has increased his extension. As shown in the photo below Suarez's front foot looks to be lower in the picture on the right. 




Good extension improves a pitchers perceived velocity and improves the effectiveness of all their pitches. Suarez has been great this season. In 37 IP he has a 2.17 ERA with 27 K's his promotion to AAA seems inevitable. He has been one of the most solid pitchers in the organization for the past year. A spot starting or long relief role in the MLB this year is also possible.





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